Portable, lightweight device for receiving pre-recorded messages at programmed times

ABSTRACT

A portable recorder device comprising means for informing, relating to the reception of pre-recorded messages, on programmed days and at programmed times. The device comprises a recorder and an internal clock triggering delivery of messages at desired dates and times, characterized in that it comprises a housing having two faces, an A face comprising a press button ( 1 ) and a loudspeaker ( 2 ) enabling a person with a deficient memory to press on the press button ( 1 ) in order to hear what should be done when an alarm is sounded, and a B face which is only accessible by opening a shutter which covers it, a B face comprising a microphone ( 14 ), a screen ( 3 ) indicating the date and time, programmable by means of the displacement keys ( 4 ) and coded information ( 7 ) for, when the date and time is fixed, recording the message by pressing on a key ( 5 ), the internal clock of the device enabling the alarm to be sounded at the desired time in order to hear the message.

The present invention concerns a portable, lightweight device forreceiving pre-recorded messages at programmed times.

1) In its simple version it concerns an “engagement book that speaks”:it concerns a casing the size of a small portable telephone having twofaces:

On the A face is a simple push-button (1) and a loudspeaker (2). Whenthe latter emits an alarm, the person need only push the button in orderhear said what she must then do (for example: “you have an appointmentin half an hour with the director of personnel,” or “do not forget yourdaughter's birthday. Her number is 01 23 45 67 89.”) The person canre-push the button in order to hear the message repeated, if she did notunderstand it very well. Each message heard erases the preceding. Thisface has moreover an access door to the cells (or to the battery in adifferent option) (11).

The B face is not accessible except by opening the door (10) that hidesit. It include a microphone (14), a screen (3) indicating the date andtime, programmable by means of displacement keys (4) and numericinformation (7). For example, 12.03.02 for the date (12 Mar. 2002) and11.15 for the time (11 and a quarter hours). Correction is possible,either for an item by pressing briefly on Erase (6), or for the entireline (date or time) by pressing longer.

The date the time being fixed, there remains only to record the messageand press the key 5, with the possibility to erase to correct it withthe key 6. The internal clock of the apparatus will then enableactivation, at the desired time, of the alarm that will enable hearingof the message. Setting or resetting the date and time is effected bypressing the key “time” (13).

A lateral knurled wheel (8) enables regulation of the sound volume. ThisB face is programmable by its owner or by a third person (a secretary, amember of the family . . . )

-   -   2) In its complete version, the apparatus further includes a        telephonic receiver permitting programming of it remotely. It is        for example indicated for persons having deficient memory to        remind them, at the appropriate moment, what they should then        do. For example, “Madame, it is time to take your blue pill” or        “Mamie get ready, I'm coming to pick you up in half an hour.”

A certain key (9) is here designated to give, in case of a problem, aidindications to a third person. (“My name is Madame X . . . , I live at Y. . . , in case of a problem, inform my son reachable at Z . . . etc. .. . ).

This programmable B face can be employed by any person taking care ofthe memory deficient owner: her family, her caretakers, etc. But it canalso be employed by the person herself who can prove herself capable ofmaking her own program if she knows that she risks forgetting. (Forexample, an appointment that he just made by telephone at thehairdresser). One could also provide more simple direct programming,vocal.

This apparatus must be programmable remotely by telephonic channel withaccess code means in order to determine, by family agreement forexample, the only persons able to record the messages.

In the case where one chooses the option ‘battery’ rather than “cell”,the apparatus is rechargeable on a base plugged into the electricity.(12: recharge contacts).

According to the invention, a portable recording apparatus includesmeans permitting to be informed, at programmed days and times, of thereception of messages recorded beforehand. It includes a recorder and aninternal clock activating the delivery of messages at desired dated andtimes.

Such an apparatus is principally characterized in that it also includesa push button on its A face for activating the playing of the recordingby the loudspeaker. The apparatus has on its B face a microphone and ahinged access door, notably with a screen for dates and times, keys forprogramming, a key for recording messages, a key for erasing, a key forsetting the date and time, and a possible SOS key.

The apparatus preferably includes a telephone receptor permittingprogramming remotely by means of a telephone with an access code.

The apparatus preferably has an SOS key, activating playing of basicinformation about its owner and the persons to inform in case ofaccident.

The apparatus preferably operates on cells or battery, the access doorof which is situated on the A face.

The apparatus preferably has a knurled wheel on the side for regulatingthe sound intensity of the loudspeaker.

1. A portable recording apparatus including means enabling to beinformed at programmed days and times of the reception of messagespreviously recorded, this apparatus including a recorder and an internalclock activating delivery of messages at desired dates and times,characterized in that it includes a housing having two faces, of whichan A face including a press button M and a loudspeaker so that when thelatter emits an alarm, the person with a deficient memory can press onthe press button in order to hear what she should then do, and a B facethat is only accessible by opening a shutter that covers it, this B faceincluding a microphone, a screen indicating the date and time,programmable by means of displacement keys and coded information for,the date and time being fixed, recording the message by pressing on akey, the internal clock of the apparatus enabling the activation at thedesired time the alarm that will permit hearing of the message.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises atelephonic receiver enabling programming remotely by means of atelephone with an access code.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that it has an SOS key activating playing of basicinformation about its owner and the persons to inform in case ofaccident.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in thatit operates on cells and/or on battery, the access door of which issituated on the A face.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that it has laterally a knurled wheel for regulation ofthe intensity of sound of the loudspeaker.
 6. A method for operatingwith a portable apparatus having a button, and a speaker, the methodcomprising: storing a voice message in the apparatus; storing a date andtime in the apparatus, and associating the date and time with the voicemessage; running a clock in the apparatus; responsive to the clock,emitting an audio signal at the date and time stored in the storingstep; and responsive to the button, sending the voice message to thespeaker.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the apparatus further includesa microphone, and the step of storing a voice message includes using themicrophone.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the apparatus furtherincludes a screen indicating the date and time, and keys, and the stepof storing a date and time includes using the keys.
 9. The method ofclaim 6 wherein the apparatus further includes a screen indicating thedate and time, keys, and a microphone, and the step of storing a dateand time includes using the keys; and the step of storing a voicemessage includes using the microphone.
 10. The method of claim 6 whereinthe apparatus further includes a telephonic receiver, and the step ofstoring a storing a date and time includes using the telephonicreceiver.
 11. A portable apparatus comprising: a button; a speaker; themeans for storing a voice message in the apparatus; means for storing adate and time in the apparatus, and associating the date and time withthe voice message; a clock in the apparatus; means, responsive to theclock, for emitting an audio signal at the date and time stored by thestoring means; and means, responsive to the button, for sending thevoice message to the speaker.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 furtherincluding a microphone, wherein the means for storing a voice messageuses the microphone.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 further including ascreen indicating the date and time, and keys, wherein the means forstoring a date and time uses the keys.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11further including a screen indicating the date and time, keys, and amicrophone, wherein the means for storing a date and time uses the keys;and the means for storing a voice message uses the microphone.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 11 further including a telephonic receiver, whereinthe means for storing a storing a date and time uses the telephonicreceiver.